estoria | « 001 ⇢ OVERFLOW.EXE »

[She's quiet, thinking about how to answer that.]

Technically, I suppose that would be Lord Maxwell. Depending on what you qualify as raising.

So Lord Maxwell raised you to be so cavalier about your body?

Not really.

Lord Maxwell raised me to guard the schism, and... that was about all, really.

The schism? What's that?

[She flies past him, because clearly serious business isn't something that should interrupt their looting.]

What it was was a barrier that divided the land of Rieze Maxia from the rest of the world. As the Great Spirit of Space, I could traverse the barrier without damaging it and thus the natural choice to serve as its guardian.

As long as it stayed safe, and anyone who knew about it was killed, I was serving my purpose and left to my own devices.

Why did Rieze Maxia need to be isolated from the rest of the world?

I don't get it. That doesn't sound like something you'd do.

... ... ...

It was a long time ago. People change. And so do we spirits.

[Since he's prying into her story, though, she flies up and takes a seat on a balcony above him, lounging dramatically, looking up into the glitching sky.]

In Rieze Maxia, spirits and humans lived together in a peaceful, harmonious existence. Humans would channel their mana to the spirits, and in return, the spirits would use their energy to aid humans. If kept in isolation, that world could have sustained itself endlessly.

However, not all humans can channel mana. And the ingenuity that they show is truly something to be praised... which is how they learned that there are other ways to harvest energy from a spirit.

[The choice of the word "harvest" should give him some idea.]

[Darin wades over to the water's edge and hauls himself out. He was starting to prune anyway.]

...I get it.

It was an act of self-preservation. Spirits and humans in Rieze Maxia had a symbiotic relationship...but the rest of the world saw spirits as a means to and end. A power supply.

So, you were tasked with separating those that could and couldn't channel mana...

[He's surprisingly not as dumb as he always seems.]

In other words...you couldn't trust humans.

You've almost got it. But whether or not we could trust humans was never my decision to make. That was the work of Maxwell, the Lord of Spirits -- and defending the schism, and by doing so upholding his will, was the role that he entrusted to me.

For however long it took, until the people outside of Rieze Maxia -- the people of Elympios -- died off entirely.

[She's still not looking down at him.]

At the time, it gave me such pride...

'At the time?'

So, what changed?

A few things led up to it. An attempt was made on the schism, but I intervened and it was unsuccessful. And I kept working just as hard, rooting out the humans involved, to tie up loose ends...

But... what changed was me.

He stopped talking to me. Gave me no further orders. I cried out to him, but he ignored me.

You should be very cautious with how you treat women, Darin. If our love is not appreciated, then in time, it won't be there at all.

So...you were left all alone. No direction. No guidance. Just...a singular mission.

[He huffs.]

Geez...no wonder you're so clingy...I'd probably be too...

[He can't believe this. He actually feels bad for her. Because he knows what it's like being alone and aimless. He was just lucky it was for a short time.]

I don't really think of it as being clingy, myself.

[... which is something she's completely wrong about, but shhh, she doesn't know that.]

Whether they're near me, or very far away, as long as I can be of use to someone... that's all I need to be happy.

Knock it off.

Just...don't talk like that.

What do you mean? Am I talking any differently than normal?

Talking about yourself like you're a tool.

Or a pawn.

Stop it.

I was. That doesn't mean I am anymore.

However...

I'm really not happy if I'm not useful to anyone. In fact, being here without a purpose has made me...

[She doesn't finish the sentence. She just drops her head forward, resting her chin on her hands.]

Knock it the hell off, will you?!

'Purpose?' Who the hell needs a purpose to live! Just live! You're a person, aren't you! Do what you want to do! Live your life! Give yourself purpose instead of waiting for someone to just give it to you!

Look at me! Wanna know what my purpose is? I'm supposed to destroy the world! I'm supposed to wipeout mankind! But I'm sure as hell not going to and that's my decision! No one else's!

You want a purpose so bad? Then just live. Live and be Muzét, the clingy spirit and just enjoy yourself. There's your damn purpose.

[In a huff, he stomps towards the nearest store looking for pants. He's grumbling audibly to himself and he's stomping like he's a ten year old throwing a tantrum.]

... ... ...

[She pouts.

You're STUPID, Darin. You're STUPID and you're WRONG and you're a BIG DUMB MEANIE. The only way I can enjoy myself is if someone cares I'm here! And you're a huge jerk for not realizing and respecting that!

She floats down gracefully from the balcony.]

So, suddenly that decision is under your control?

No, that's the point! Do what you want! You can listen to me, or you can ignore me! That's the beauty of freedom. You're free to choose however you want to live. Whoever you want to be with. Whatever you want to do.

Just...stop talking like you're someone's tool. Like you're a means to an end. As far as I'm concerned, you're a person and I respect that a lot more than I could respect you being someone's pawn.

[He sighs and his expression softens.]

For all of your crazy power, why would you want to be under someone's thumb? I mean...think about it for a second. Right this moment, what do you want to do? Whatever it is...just do it. I'd rather see you happy and free and doing what makes you happy than waiting around for someone to just...tell you to stand there looking pretty.

It's not about being under someone else's thumb. It's about being someone who matters. Is it so very wrong to want that, Darin? Because that is what makes me happy, rather than this idle time-wasting you would label freedom.

[She's still not looking at him. Soften your expression all you want!]

Besides, I wasn't talking about my decision. I was talking about yours. Your decision to rebel against your designated purpose.

Is it actually your decision? Or is it an act in benefit of those that you would destroy -- the ones that you want to matter to, rather than your appointed master?

You do matter. I wouldn't be having this conversation with you, if you didn't matter.

Yeah, it is my decision. I never wanted to be this. I'm doing this for everyone's benefit, including my own.

[She has to pause and think over her reply.]

... as touching as it is for you to say that, you realize that's not what I mean, right? I mean, to matter in a greater sense.

You don't suppose there's a part of you that sort of enjoys being in a role to play a hero to everyone else?

Edited 2016-08-29 02:13 (UTC)

I'm not a hero.

[He leaves it at that for now.]

Look, I get it. You want to be needed by someone. But just waiting for someone to need you just...seems kind of weird and bratty.

Come on. You're a great spirit, for crying out loud. Create a need in someone! I mean, hell, I needed you to get me under control like, ten minutes ago.

... ... ...

[Oh no, Darin. You said those magic words.]

You... you're right.

You really did need me, didn't you?

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